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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

hay bales/cows tipstricks??? old bales

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Bruce in KS

11-24-2005 17:59:42




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My first year taking care of the cattle this winter. Just got my 3pt spike mounted on my 1855 Oliver (no loader). In the interest of using others experience, can I get some comments on do's and don'ts with bales? The area we had the bales put out last year is still all torn up with mounds of rotted bales/dirt and old bale piles a couple feet high. Will these rot faster if they are heaped into one mound as I may have a dozer doing a pond in the spring? I want to clean up the approx 4 acres mess in a year or so and have a 2 acre mess instead! 22 angus with as many calves (44 total)

Also, our bale cages have wider spacing and narrow spacing depending how you put them. I put one each way different way on two bales that are now 50% gone, but they look the same. Is there an up or down?

Anything else I need to know would be appreciated as this is my first year feeding the cattle. Also, any tips on breaking ice on the ponds...I can imagine several ways (ax, chainsaw), just want to hear comments...in need of experience.

Thank You all, very much appreciate all comments

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Soldier Tom

12-04-2005 13:06:13




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 Re: hay bales/cows tipstricks??? old bales in reply to Bruce in KS, 11-24-2005 17:59:42  
Here is what we did: Set down the bail, cut the strings, and un-roll it out through the field, the big cows would clean up most of it, the calves would lay around in it, and by the time tomorrow came it was pretty cleaned up, and there was NO muddy doughnuts all over the field. I guess it all depends on when you want to do the manual work, when you feed the hay or when you want to clean up after a herd of cattle stomping mud holes in your field. We fed for years that way, and it is the best way I have found to do it.
~Walk in peace~
Soldier Tom

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Warren in Wisc.

12-02-2005 11:19:51




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 Re: hay bales/cows tipstricks??? old bales in reply to Bruce in KS, 11-24-2005 17:59:42  
The best way I can think to reduce the amount of waste is to not feed the next bale until they have cleaned up the first one. They will "cherry pick" at first and then not want to finish the rest of the bale if you let them. It does help to move the ring before putting in a new bale.

As for the pond, can an aerator be set up to help you with that? Even a small pump could be set up to direct a stream of water toward the shore to keep a small spot open.

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Cliff Neubauer

11-27-2005 10:38:43




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 Re: hay bales/cows tipstricks??? old bales in reply to Bruce in KS, 11-24-2005 17:59:42  
We have been feeding in bale feeders, if you have a dozer in there I would push the piles out next spring and let them rot for a year or two then spread them with a manure spreader. As far as breaking the ice in the pond we just use an axe, I will add that backing the tractor tire into the pond is a bad way to break the ice as dad found out the hard way.



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Rob in Ore

11-26-2005 08:46:32




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 Re: hay bales/cows tipstricks??? old bales in reply to Bruce in KS, 11-24-2005 17:59:42  
When we fed round bales we would set the bale down, cut the strings, then roll the ring up and around the bale. The feeder was never in the same place twice, the unused hay made cheap bedding. Most times the calves would pick through the leftover hay as well. Sorry I can't help with the ice, I'm in western Oregon. If the pond freezes wait til sun up!



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Jeh

11-26-2005 03:28:50




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 Re: hay bales/cows tipstricks??? old bales in reply to Bruce in KS, 11-24-2005 17:59:42  
Try this website www.cattlepages.com



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old

11-24-2005 18:11:18




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 Re: hay bales/cows tipstricks??? old bales in reply to Bruce in KS, 11-24-2005 17:59:42  
A good bale ring should have sort of upside down V at the top and a bar all the way around at the bottom. As far as the pond the best thing it a pond mill which the wind works and keeps the water moveing a little so it doesn't freeze.



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